The leader of Islamic State in Afghanistan and Pakistan has been killed in a US drone strike in eastern Afghanistan, it was reported Saturday.

Hafiz Saeed Khan, a former Pakistani Taliban commander, was killed with 30 other insurgents late Friday in Achin in the Nangarhar province, the BBC reported, citing Afghan intelligence officials.

US Army Col. Brian Tribus told CNN that American forces conducted a strike against “individuals threatening the force.”

Khan’s death would represent a major blow to the Syria- and Iraq-based Islamists’ goal of establishing a strong presence in Afghanistan and Pakistan, The Washington Post reported.

He “was killed in a gathering, an area where they were making plans,” said Asib Sediqqi, spokesman for Afghanistan’s intelligence agency.